The replica Ballon Bleu 33672 is a copy of the Cartier Ballon Bleu de Cartier in the 36mm automatic size. The number 33672 is a dealer code used in the replica trade, not an official Cartier reference. It points to the steel model with a blue cabochon crown, a guilloche dial, and a steel bracelet.
Cartier sells the real Ballon Bleu in several sizes, and the 36mm automatic is the one most buyers want. Replica makers tag their 36mm version with codes like 33672 so sellers and buyers can match the right watch to the right listing. Two watches with the same code from different factories can still differ in movement, dial print, and finish.
Key specs at a glance
- Case size: 36.6mm diameter, about 12mm thick
- Case material: 316L stainless steel, some runs in rose gold plate
- Movement: quartz or automatic, depends on the factory
- Crystal: mineral glass on cheap builds, sapphire on better ones
- Crown: fluted crown with a blue synthetic spinel cabochon
- Water resistance: splash proof on most replicas, 30m at best
- Bracelet: steel with a hidden clasp, or leather on some runs
- Typical price: $80 to $400
Which Cartier model does 33672 copy?
The Ballon Bleu launched in 2007 and became one of Cartier's best-selling shapes. Its signature detail is the crown guard that curves around the blue cabochon, which makes the crown look like a balloon floating next to the case. The 36mm version runs on an automatic movement and fits wrists from about 15cm to 18cm.
Case and dimensions
The genuine 36mm Ballon Bleu measures 36.6mm across and 12.05mm thick, with a lug-to-lug span near 44mm. Replica cases often run a touch thicker, sometimes 12.5mm to 13mm, because the movement holder adds space. That extra height is the easiest tell when a replica sits next to the real watch.
Dial and hands
The dial carries Roman numerals, a sunburst or flinqué finish, and blued steel sword hands. On good replicas the numerals print with sharp edges and the date window sits at 3 o'clock on a white background. Cheap builds show fuzzy print, a crooked date wheel, and hands that look purple rather than blue.
Movement choices in replica Ballon Bleu 33672
Quartz versions
Quartz copies sell for $60 to $120. The seconds hand ticks once per second instead of sweeping, which anyone who knows watches will spot from across a table. Quartz builds also use thinner cases and lighter bracelets.
Automatic versions
Better replicas run automatic movements: the Miyota 9015, a Seagull ST21, or an ETA 2824 clone. The Miyota 9015 beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour and holds a 42-hour power reserve. These versions cost $180 to $400 and give the smooth sweep that matches the real thing.
The real Ballon Bleu 36mm uses the Cartier 049 caliber, an ETA 2892 base. No replica ships with that movement, but the ETA 2824 clone copies the same beat rate and layout. A solid caseback hides the movement, so the main thing you can judge is the sweep of the seconds hand.
Case, crown, and finishing details
Look at the crown guard first. On the real watch it flows into the case with no seam, and the cabochon sits flush in the fluted crown. Replicas with a glued cabochon or a rough polish around the guard are the ones to skip.
Check the bezel and the case flanks for machine marks. Good factories polish the steel to a mirror on the bezel and brush the sides, matching Cartier's mix of finishes. Poor builds leave swirl marks or a cloudy polish.
Bracelet and strap options
Most 33672 listings come on a steel bracelet with a butterfly clasp and a hidden Cartier signature. Some sellers offer a leather strap with a deployant buckle instead. Steel bracelets on cheap replicas rattle and show gaps at the links, so ask for a close-up photo of the clasp and the link edges.
What does a replica Ballon Bleu 33672 cost?
- $60 to $120: quartz, mineral glass, stamped clasp
- $120 to $200: quartz or low-grade automatic, sapphire on some builds, decent dial print
- $200 to $300: Miyota 9015 or Seagull automatic, sapphire crystal, solid bracelet
- $300 to $450: top factory build, ETA clone, best dial and case finish
Price tracks the movement and the dial work more than the case. A $250 watch with a Miyota 9015 and a clean dial beats a $400 watch with a sloppy date wheel.
How to check quality before you buy
- Ask for a video of the seconds hand. A smooth sweep means an automatic movement.
- Request macro shots of the dial print and the date window.
- Confirm the crystal type. Sapphire resists scratches, mineral does not.
- Check the crown cabochon. It should sit level and show a deep blue color.
- Ask about water resistance, then treat the watch as splash proof only.
FAQ
Is the replica Ballon Bleu 33672 water resistant?
Most replicas handle rain and hand washing, nothing more. Gaskets on copy cases are thin and the crown seal is basic. Do not swim or shower with one.
Does it use a real sapphire crystal?
Top builds do, and they cost $200 and up. Cheaper 33672 replicas use mineral glass, which picks up scratches within months. Ask the seller to confirm the crystal type in writing.
How close is the replica to the genuine Ballon Bleu?
At arm's length a good 33672 replica looks like the real watch. Up close, the case thickness, the dial print, and the bracelet feel give it away. A watchmaker with a loupe will know in seconds.
Which size should I pick?
The 33672 code points to the 36mm automatic, which fits wrists from about 15cm to 18cm. Smaller wrists suit the 33mm, and larger wrists look better with the 42mm. Confirm the diameter in the listing before you pay.
Buying notes
Buy from a seller who shows real photos of the exact watch, not stock images. Ask about returns and shipping in plain terms. A seller who answers spec questions with numbers knows the product, and that matters more than a low price.